Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to match the $2.5 million offer sheet given to restricted free agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders by the New England Patriots, several are suggesting that they should rescind the $1.323 million tender offer to running back Isaac Redman in order to sign free agent running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

For starters, pulling the tender to Redman only saves roughly $843,000 in salary cap space after displacement takes place. That\’s not a lot of money in the grand scheme of themes and Bradshaw has yet to come in for his second visit yet to see how the rehab of his right foot is coming along.

The Steelers are also not guaranteed to get a top running back in the draft and thus must assume that they will come out of the draft without one until they actually do select one. Pulling the tender from Redman prior to the draft could force them to reach at the position.

With less than two weeks to go until the draft takes place, the Steelers only have running backs Jonathan Dwyer and Baron Batch under contract. Batch is not a lock to make the roster at this point, so essentially the team has just one in Dwyer.

The deadline for restricted tenders to be signed is April 19, so Redman, and nose tackle Steve McLendon will be signing them any day now and I don\’t expect that the Steelers will yank Redman\’s off of the table prior to that.

Contrary to what is being reported elsewhere, restricted tenders are not fully guaranteed.

I cant wait till McLendon signs his tender.. just want to see his name on the offseason roster.. Come on Steve!

..and I agree with Bryan.. B.Batch is not a lock to make the Team and even if we did sign Bradshaw AND draft a RB in the upcoming draft, we could still use Redmans services this season, we usually carry 4RB’s

I agree with you on Steve but I would really like to see AT, Fangupo or another young NT give him real competition at the position. As far as Redman goes, I did not take into account the displacement Dave mentioned so I guess I am ok with him for another year. If they get another guy or two they really like in the draft and/or FA this year, they could still let him go join BA.

steeltown

Agreed

Maurice_hill_district

Could there be any reason for McClendon to not sign the tender & let the deadline pass?

steeltown

The deadline is in effect for other Teams to make an offer for that player, once the deadline passes the player’s rights revert to his old club

hergieburbur

Worst he could do is hold out like Wallace did last year once that deadline passes. He still couldn’t play anywhere else though.

hergieburbur

I am excited to see what we have at NT this year. We know how important that position is to our defense, and I want to see what Mac or one of the others can do now that the spot is up for grabs.

Shannon Stephenson

This is a do or die year for Batch not doubt. He played poorly last year but I honestly think the FO gave him a pass because of the knee injury. This year no pass will be given. Lets see the Batch of his rookie year that looked to be a stud before that goofy injury.

steeltown

Yea, torn ACL in 2011 and then broken arm in 2012.. both leading to IR

Its not looking good for him, he looked solid in 2011 camp during pass protection drills, but really other than that he has looked very average and obviously he’s having problems staying healthy

hergieburbur

Agreed

steeltown

Offseason workouts started today

Kevin Gobleck

I highly doubt that we sign Bradshaw now after the Sanders issue there. I really think the to make the cut this year will be B.Batch, J.Dwyer, I. Redman, and (Draft Pick).

Donny Simmons

I would love to see McLendon starting at DE, Ziggy’s contract is up next year(I think) and Steve has the speed and power to play the 5 tech. Dwyer is going to have a BIG year, this kid can play he only needed time to learn how to be a pro. Now that the light is on he will be the power back we all want.